A great release from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu, who are now firmly on the way to releasing their first five year old whisky. This is a multi-vintage vatting of whisky distilled at various times since they opened in 2008, including some of their oldest, five year old whisky. The whiskies that went in to this started their lives in bourbon casks but have all been finished in mizunara, Japanese oak.

Chichibu On The Way Reviews

Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes by Andy M

Nose: Beautiful. Sweet spice, mint, cut grass, green, herbal, fennel, anise, floral, less fruity than the others, but there is some pear or apple maybe in there.

Palate: Sweet, oily, thick and spicy. Lots of exotic fruits such as papaya, mango, lychee and guava, full of heat and that herbal note is back. With water this remains rich but becomes creamier and an incense flavour comes into play and pushes the tropical fruits into the background. It’s not strong incense, however, it’s more akin to standing near a Buddhist temple; you know that somewhere nearby there is incense burning, but it’s softer and less pungent.

Finish: Sweet spice, incense, temples and a firm grip with some tannin.

Comment: The use of mizunara really brings this one out. Without water, it’s bold and full of tropical fruit, but just a tiny drop of water and the mizunara comes to play and that incense character shoots into the limelight.